Life in Portland Blog

Cozy 2 Bed, 1 Bath Abode in North East

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals.

When I sat down to start looking over all the new listings this week I have to admit I wasn’t feeling that inspired. Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of great new homes hitting the market, but I was wanting to find something that really stopped me in my tracks like the midcentury modern did last week. I narrowed it down to three places that looked to have potential and off I went.

The first was a no, the second was beautiful (maybe this was it!), but I still had to check out one more: 54 NE Failing Street. As I walked up the front steps I started to take mental notes (great curb appeal, nice elevation from the street, super walkable location with N. Williams a block away...) and things were looking pretty positive. I turned the key, stepped inside and peered right to look into the first room. This is when I knew it - I had found the one.

Through a set of french doors I walked into a dining room boasting perfectly stained fir floors, fresh white walls, a large bay window, and furniture that I still can’t get off my mind. From there I passed under an archway into the living room and kitchen where I saw both woodblock and concrete countertops (at this point I have already forgotten the two previous houses). I slowly made my way through the rest of the house, which didn’t take too long (2 bed, 1 bath), and then, just because I really didn’t want to leave, I went through it again.

Matt Guy, the listing agent, told me that the current owners (an architect and designer) did a full remodel of the home in 2005 after it sat vacant for years. They pulled things down to the studs and redid everything (wiring, plumbing, and more recently the roof) while keeping an eye on period details, and their craftsmanship shows.

My favorite part? That dining room. I may have sat down at the table before leaving just to pretend I was home.